Top marks as Middleton-in-Teesdale chippy makes UK's top 50

A MULTI-AWARD winning fish and chip shop been named one of the top 50 in the country for the second time in three years.
Owners of Middleton-in-Teesdale Fish and Chip Shop, David Amsden and Lydia Sunter, found out their business was the only one in County Durham to feature in the nation's top 50 last week.
A secret customer sponsored by the National Federation of Fish Fryers marked the Market Place chippy 99 out of 100 on her undercover visit in February.
The siblings were thrilled their quality had shone through.
“It’s really good because it’s a fresh set of eyes looking at what we do,” said Mr Amsden.
“It’s just a case of building on our reputation.”
The mystery diner praised the shop’s fish as “hot and tasty” and said it offered “good value for money”.
She added: “The fish was white, flaky and moist – the chips were golden brown and had a good flavour.
“I was made to feel welcome and I felt the service was really efficient.
“I would recommend the shop to others and would most certainly eat there again myself.”
The brother and sister team have gathered an impressive haul of accolades – twice winning medals for their home made pies alongside their two top 50 finishes in the past three years.
Mr Amsden said he’d been humbled by the judge’s feedback and heaped praise on the shop team.
“You are only as good as your weakest member of staff and everyone we have here is really good,” he added.
Ms Sunter added: “Everyone takes pride in what they are doing and when you get something like this it makes them feel good.”
The only blemish on the secret diner’s glowing report was the lack of a card machine at the shop.
But Mr Amsden said there was good reason for its absence. 
He added: “We thought it would upset Barclays Bank and it’s an additional cost having one.
“It encourages people to use it because a lot of rural banks are closing – if it’s not used then we lose it.”